Narc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The new 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Narc" by Arrow Video is nothing short of impressive, presenting the film in stunning quality with a Dolby Vision transfer that brings out the movie’s gritty aesthetic beautifully. The film is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and employs advanced HDR10 and Dolby Vision for an expansive color range. The restoration process involved scanning the original 35mm camera negative in 4K and was meticulously undertaken by Silver Salt Restoration in London, with final approval by the filmmakers. The result is an image encoded in 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 using the HEVC (H.265) codec, offering an enhanced visual experience with stable filmic grain and texture.

From the film's opening sequence, the restored 4K version of "Narc" captures remarkable detail in facial features, clothing textures, and environmental nuances. The film’s distinct blue-toned palette, a hallmark of Alex Nepomniaschy’s cinematography, is preserved but enhanced for more natural skin tones thanks to subtle re-timing in the HDR grade. Black levels are inky and deep, while shadow areas display nuanced gradience, enriching the image with a substantial sense of depth and dimension. This is achieved without sacrificing the original film's gritty authenticity, ensuring a true cinematic experience.

The review also notes significant improvements over previous releases, such as the earlier Blu-ray version from Imprint's Neo Noir collection. The new 4K restoration resolves issues like edge enhancement and offers cleaner, crisper detail with no significant loss or gain in framing. While the 1080p Blu-ray included in the package also boasts excellent quality, the 4K transfer stands out distinctly, making it the favored choice for those equipped for the format. Arrow Video's careful mastering and encoding ensure that this edition of "Narc" is a definitive and faithful presentation of Joe Carnahan's vision.

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Narc" delivers an exceptional audio experience, primarily driven by its outstanding Dolby Atmos mix. This track, despite not being the default upon startup, emerges as the definitive choice for those equipped to utilize it fully. The Atmos mix artfully balances between wide-open spaces and tight, confined sequences, enhancing the film's gritty atmosphere. The mix is notably frontally dominant, placing dialogue prominently across the frontal array, while ambient noises like street sounds and car engines extend into the surrounds, creating an immersive sound environment. The spatial effects are refined, though not overly flashy, with subtle use of height channels to enhance atmospheric elements such as echoes and weather sounds.

The LFE component in the Atmos mix is particularly impressive. Gunfire and shotgun blasts resonate with a thunderous impact, significantly enriching the aural landscape and adding a profound depth to action sequences. Cliff Martinez's score benefits from this robust LFE support, infusing scenes with a visceral rumble that complements both the music and dynamic sound effects.

Alternatively, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track provides a commendable audio experience, though it falls short of the immersive quality offered by the Atmos mix. While it manages to deliver clear dialogue and effective LFE content, the stereo track doesn’t match the breadth and depth of its Atmos counterpart. Nevertheless, it's a solid option for those who prefer a simpler audio setup. Overall, while the stereo track is serviceable, the Dolby Atmos mix undeniably elevates the auditory experience to a superior level, making it the recommended option for an engaging and impactful audio experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Narc" provides a robust selection of extras, although most are confined to the accompanying Region A-locked Blu-ray. This may disappoint Region B-locked UK fans. Among the bonuses, viewers will find an archival audio commentary by director Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy, plus over an hour of new interviews. Notably, Carnahan offers insightful reflections on the film, particularly focusing on Ray Liotta's contributions. The extras extend to thorough archival featurettes and extensive EPK interviews, delivering nearly six hours of supplementary content. The package further impresses with a reversible sleeve, double-sided poster, and an informative illustrated booklet.

Extras included in this disc:

Archival Audio Commentary: Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy.

Shattering the Blue Line: Joe Carnahan on Narc.

Shooting Narc: Alex Nepomiaschy’s Vision.

If You Live Another Day: Interview with Krista Bridges.

The Journey of the Costume: Interview with Gersha Phillips.

Archival Featurettes:

• Making the Deal
• The Visual Trip
• The Friedkin Connection
• Shooting Up

EPK Interviews:

• Joe Carnahan - Shoot Interview
• Joe Carnahan - Edit Interview
• Diane Nabatoff
• Alex Nepomniaschy
• Ray Liotta - Shoot Interview
• Ray Liotta - Edit Interview
• Jason Patric
• William Friedkin

Trailer Image Gallery

Joe Carnahan’s masterful debut on the big screen, Narc, continues to be a powerhouse of intense storytelling and gritty realism two decades after its release. Shot for a modest $6 million, this visceral cop drama emerged against the odds, with Ray Liotta’s enthusiastic involvement elevating its prospects from direct-to-video obscurity to a theatrical release endorsed by none other than Tom Cruise. The film immediately hooks the audience with an exhilarating, chaotic foot chase scene that introduces Jason Patric as the troubled undercover narcotics officer Nick Tellis. This sequence remains one of the most effectively executed uses of shaky-cam, capturing the frenetic energy and moral ambiguity that define Tellis's journey.

As Tellis is offered a shot at redemption by delving into the cold-case homicide of a fellow officer, he is paired with Henry Oak, the volatile mentor of the deceased played by Ray Liotta. The dynamic between Patric’s understated intensity and Liotta’s commanding presence creates a richly nuanced narrative, driven by their desperate quest for truth amidst tangled alliances and deceptions. The film's unflinching portrayal of Detroit's grim urban landscape during an era marked by civic decay adds a palpable layer of authenticity, reminiscent of Friedkin's use of New York in The French Connection. Each frame exudes the raw grime and despair of a city on the brink, perfectly mirroring the inner turmoil of its protagonists.

Narc thrives on its profound character development and compelling screenplay, with Carnahan demonstrating a deft ability to balance action with emotional depth. Both Patric and Liotta deliver career-high performances, with Liotta particularly embodying a complex portrayal of grief and moral compromise. The film's strength lies in its relentless pacing and the moral stakes it presents, ensuring that every choice made by its flawed heroes carries significant weight. For audiences and cinephiles alike, Narc remains a quintessential example of impactful storytelling within the crime thriller genre, securing its place as one of the early 2000s' standout films.

Arrow Video's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Narc" offers a revitalized look at Joe Carnahan's gritty thriller. This early 2000s gem has been largely enhanced by an impeccable Dolby Vision HDR transfer, which stands out impressively for a film of its modest budget. The 4K presentation effectively captures the cold, intense atmosphere of Detroit's criminal underworld, making it almost palpable. Combined with the new Dolby Atmos audio track, viewers are thrust into a rich sound environment that intensifies the visceral experience of the movie. Both Ray Liotta and Jason Patric deliver remarkable performances, long hailed as career-defining, which are only elevated by this superior audio-visual upgrade.

In addition to the stellar technical enhancements, Arrow Video has also curated a comprehensive set of bonus features. This includes insightful behind-the-scenes features and interviews that enrich the viewing experience and provide greater context to the film's production and stylistic choices. Although there is no current UK release, this collection is a highly valuable import for enthusiasts looking to revisit or newly discover "Narc".

In conclusion, "Narc" still packs a punch, remaining an early highlight in the career of director Joe Carnahan, and boasting career-best performances from a couple of unlikely suspects - Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. It may have a now-familiar vibe, but it's still gritty and extremely effective. Arrow's US release enjoys an excellent new 4K presentation and a great new Atmos track too, with a lavish, features-packed set that leaves it a must-have package for fans of the film, and a highly recommended import.